WILLEMSTAD - The recent baseline measurement conducted by the education inspectorate of Curaçao and the Netherlands has faced criticism from schools in Curaçao. The main point of contention revolves around the fact that the study does not adequately reflect the recommendations made by the schools.
According to sources, schools feel insufficiently involved in the process of improving education. In response to these concerns, Dutch Member of Parliament Joba van den Berg of the CDA party has submitted a motion seeking the involvement of a neutral organization in conducting research on the state of affairs in schools, thereby avoiding any perception of competition.
Van den Berg argues that the education inspectorate of Curaçao and the Netherlands plays a dual role, acting both as a regulator and an investigator. This duality raises questions regarding their impartiality. While State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Alexandra van Huffelen, acknowledges the dissatisfaction expressed by Curaçao, she advises against pursuing the motion. Instead, she hopes that Minister of Education, Sithree van Heydoorn, will work collaboratively with the schools to address these concerns without direct involvement from the Netherlands.